By Zane Clark

The SEMA International Affairs Office has put together a lineup of free educational sessions at this year's SEMA Show designed to help attendees conduct business in international markets, such as the Middle East, Russia and China.

If you are looking for a leg up with your business, try thinking internationally and expanding your business overseas. If you are considering such an expansion, there is a lot of work to be done and questions to be answered before beginning. For starters, what markets best align with your goals or product line? SEMA’s International Affairs Office has put together an invaluable lineup of free educational sessions at this year’s SEMA Show to help your business fuel its financial growth. Get answers to your questions about three of the most important emerging overseas markets for the automotive industry.

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the third SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicles sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.

There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.

SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.

Purchasing Power: Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said Russia has doubled the per capita income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

Check out the latest education schedule.

By Zane Clark

The SEMA International Affairs Office has put together a lineup of free educational sessions at this year's SEMA Show designed to help attendees conduct business in international markets, such as the Middle East, Russia and China.

If you are looking for a leg up with your business, try thinking internationally and expanding your business overseas. If you are considering such an expansion, there is a lot of work to be done and questions to be answered before beginning. For starters, what markets best align with your goals or product line? SEMA’s International Affairs Office has put together an invaluable lineup of free educational sessions at this year’s SEMA Show to help your business fuel its financial growth. Get answers to your questions about three of the most important emerging overseas markets for the automotive industry.

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the third SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicles sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.

There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.

SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.

Purchasing Power: Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said Russia has doubled the per capita income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

Check out the latest education schedule.

By Zane Clark

The SEMA International Affairs Office has put together a lineup of free educational sessions at this year's SEMA Show designed to help attendees conduct business in international markets, such as the Middle East, Russia and China.

If you are looking for a leg up with your business, try thinking internationally and expanding your business overseas. If you are considering such an expansion, there is a lot of work to be done and questions to be answered before beginning. For starters, what markets best align with your goals or product line? SEMA’s International Affairs Office has put together an invaluable lineup of free educational sessions at this year’s SEMA Show to help your business fuel its financial growth. Get answers to your questions about three of the most important emerging overseas markets for the automotive industry.

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the third SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicles sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.

There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.

SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.

Purchasing Power: Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said Russia has doubled the per capita income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

Check out the latest education schedule.

By Linda Spencer

	The 2014 Middle East Business Development Conference will include visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by U.S. embassy officials, networking receptions and a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Explore one of the world’s largest regions for customizing—the Middle East, and particularly the Gulf-coast countries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Meet with resellers stocking products from the United States and elsewhere in the world to meet the growing demands of a large concentration of motorists with deep pockets and a passion for customizing. A limited number of slots are available for the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference being held March 11–14, 2014, in the UAE.

Participants of this low-cost, high-value trip will have the opportunity to:

• Tour local specialty-equipment shops.
• Participate in a networking event with local buyers.
• Exhibit in the SEMA Hall at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Qualified companies can receive a U.S. government grant to reduce program costs. More information is available at sema.org/middleeast or contact lindas@sema.org.  

Exhibitors, register now for the 2014 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference.

By Linda Spencer

	The 2014 Middle East Business Development Conference will include visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by U.S. embassy officials, networking receptions and a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Explore one of the world’s largest regions for customizing—the Middle East, and particularly the Gulf-coast countries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Meet with resellers stocking products from the United States and elsewhere in the world to meet the growing demands of a large concentration of motorists with deep pockets and a passion for customizing. A limited number of slots are available for the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference being held March 11–14, 2014, in the UAE.

Participants of this low-cost, high-value trip will have the opportunity to:

• Tour local specialty-equipment shops.
• Participate in a networking event with local buyers.
• Exhibit in the SEMA Hall at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Qualified companies can receive a U.S. government grant to reduce program costs. More information is available at sema.org/middleeast or contact lindas@sema.org.  

Exhibitors, register now for the 2014 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
Legislation to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners was passed by the full Wisconsin Assembly. Having already been approved by the Senate, the bill will now be sent to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
Legislation to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners was passed by the full Wisconsin Assembly. Having already been approved by the Senate, the bill will now be sent to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
Legislation to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners was passed by the full Wisconsin Assembly. Having already been approved by the Senate, the bill will now be sent to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
Legislation to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners was passed by the full Wisconsin Assembly. Having already been approved by the Senate, the bill will now be sent to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Kelly Davis (above) of Clifton Larson Allen will provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act and focus on key issues affecting both company executives and their workers. Michelle Katz, well-known healthcare advocate with numerous appearances on national TV and radio shows, will help SEMA members navigate the health care insurance system.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, it’s critical that you understand the requirements of the new health care reform law. Although the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate penalties have been delayed one year until 2015, other obligations impacting companies of all sizes and their workers will still take effect in 2013 and 2014.

SEMA is providing two opportunities for SEMA members to understand the law and plan accordingly:

• Seminar: The SEMA Education Institute (SEI) is presenting the “Health Care Reform Law: What You Need to Know!” seminar at the SEMA Show, Monday, November 4, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. in Room LVCC N253. Health care reform expert Kelly Davis of Clifton Larson Allen will provide an overview of the law and focus on key issues impacting companies of all sizes and their workers.
  
  Davis' presentation will include details on the employer/individual mandates and the insurance exchanges being created to assist smaller companies and individuals in shopping for affordable coverage. Davis will be joined by Michelle Katz, a widely acclaimed health care advocate, along with SEMA’s Stuart Gosswein.

• One-on-one Consultations: SEMA members have a unique opportunity to receive a free one-on-one private consultation with Katz, who specializes in helping reduce health care costs for companies and individuals.
  
  Katz will be available Monday, November 4, from 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., and Tuesday, November 5, from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. to discuss your specific questions about the law and work with you to customize solutions.
  
  To secure a 30-minute consultation with Katz, please RSVP to AJ Carney at AndreaC@sema.org with your preferred date(s) and time(s). Meetings will be arranged on a first-come, first-served basis, so providing multiple options will help ensure placement. Space is limited, so submit your RSVP today!